Joshua Gaines a.k.a. Itella Itella
Sound Designer / Game Designer
Hello! My name is Joshua. I am a sound designer and game designer. I am currently an undergraduate student at George Mason University, majoring in Computer Game Design and minoring in Music Technology. I was also the sound director for GMU's on-campus Game Analysis and Design Interest Group (GADIG, for short). I am an impassioned and dedicated person who finds the most joy in a job well done, along with inspiring those around me!
Projects & Jobs
A brief overview of a few past projects and commissions of mine. My contributions to these projects range from SFXs and Musical Compositions to entire
Solo Developments.
Cyberpunk 2077
for the Gameboy Advance
Cyberpunk 2077 reimagined for the Gameboy Advance! Control V from a perspective never before seen!
My Contributions
​
- Developer/Producer:
Over the span of four months, I solo developed this project, using the Unity game engine. Deciding how to translate a first-person AAA experience into a top-down 2D GBA project was Extremely challenging. But, with enough dedication and patience, I produced something I find very worthwhile!
​
- Audio Design:
I took extra consideration into the sound design for this project; I wanted to match the limitations of the Gameboy Advance hardware, as well as the overall aesthetic (with crunchy, compressed instruments and SFXs).
​
- Musical Composition:
Two of the tracks featured are my GBA-inspired arrangements of fan-favorite Cyberpunk 2077 songs; those being I Really Want To Stay At Your House and Hyper - Spoiler.
​
The third track featured, The Combat Theme, is an original composition. I wanted to convey futuristic urgency with this track. It was very rewarding to write a song while keeping myself within such strict compositional limitations.
​
Check Out The Full Showcase Here!
Plants vs. Cities
Plants vs. Cities is a reverse city-builder made for GMTK Game Jam 2023! With the theme "roles reversed," I partnered with Conglomer8 Games to create a game where the plants reclaim a city.​
​
My Contributions
​
- Musical Composition:
For this game, I was told to create a chill, uplifting track; something akin to music in TOEM or Journey.
With that, I wrote Overgrown. I wanted to demonstrate a beautiful scene of nature healing and taking back its land. The immensely positive reception on this track was extremely rewarding for me!
​
Check Out The Game Here!
The Vor Project (Paid Commission)
An Anti-Phishing PSA game; Learn the dangers of sketchy URLs online by helping Neri the Alien evaluate incoming hyperlinks!
​
My Contributions
​
- Developer/Producer:
The Vor Project was a paid commission I received during Winter 2022. I developed and produced nearly all assets for this game. This includes the game's overall design, code, sound effects and music.
​
- Audio Design:
I wanted the SFXs to give spatial, intergalactic vibes. To achieve this, I kept all audio sources strictly digital; I prohibited the use of foley or any analog methods of sound production.
I felt the use of synths would be the best way to achieve the sound I was going for.​
​
- Musical Composition:
The track I wrote for this commission was inspired by the art aside old school, space-themed arcade cabinets. It's extremely synth-based, with every instrument having at least one or two oscillators.
​
Check Out The Game Here!
https://the-vor-project.itch.io/vorprojectgame
​
Cards: Roselle
Cards: Roselle is a turn-based Card game played on a Chess-like board! Use unique, powerful creatures to attack your opponent!
​
My Contributions
​
- Developer/Producer:
I solo developed Cards: Roselle within two weeks for LOWREZJAM 2023. The limitation of keeping the entire game in a 64x64 pixel resolution was challenging but very rewarding.
​
- Audio Design:
I wanted to emulate the experience found on lower-end hardware. To match the visual aesthetic of a 64x64 resolution, I kept all SFXs under bit-crush filters and purposefully exported them at lower audio qualities. These edits ensured the audio would not conflict with the game's vision.
​
- Musical Composition:
I wrote two tracks for this game: A Friendly Game and Setting Off (With The Winds Behind Us!)
​
A Friendly Game was inspired by the childhood feeling of playing card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! with your neighborhood friends!​
​
Setting Off was heavily inspired by the opening themes of early-2000s anime like Pokemon and Digimon. I thoroughly studied Saturday morning cartoons and anime from that era to capture the right feel for the track.
​
Check Out The Game Here!
Gorilla Grind
Gorilla Grind is a 2D endless runner game wherein you play as a kickflipping gorilla. Along with your primate companions, you'll shred along the vines and prove you have what it takes to wield
The Holy Board!​
​
My Contributions
​
- Sound Director:
For this project I lead the sound team by directing my teammates, organizing sound assets, and monitoring the implementation of all sound assets.
​
- Musical Composition:
I wrote two tracks for this game: Kickflip 'n' Break Loose & Great Skatepark In The Sky.
​
Kickflip 'n' Break Loose is a high energy track meant to keep the player's blood pumping! It was inspired by tracks featured in the
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series.​
​
Great Skatepark In The Sky is a track inspired by Midwestern Emo songs of the 2000s. I wrote the instrumental, while helping the vocalists come up with the lyrics. It was an extremely fun project!
​
Check Out The Game Here!
One Man Band
One Man Band is a music-based action game wherein you play as a recluse musician attempting to retrieve your lost musical pieces from threatening creatures!
​
My Contributions
​
- Assistant Sound Director:
For this project I provided direction for my teammates, organized sound assets, and monitored the implementation of said sound assets.
​
- Sound Editor:
I polished my teammates' sound effects to properly prepare them for implementation into the game. This required intensive editing of multiple audio files, as well as collaborating with different designers in our team to make necessary changes.
​
- Musical Composition:
I was tasked with producing a track inspired by 1940's big band jazz orchestrations. With that,
I provided the second level's track
"Magical Forest".
​
Check Out The Game Here!
